By Lincoln Wyatt, co-owner of Wyatt Targets. We designed our T-post target hanger because welded stands are heavy, store-bought stands are flimsy, and T-posts are everywhere.
The cheapest, fastest steel target stand in America is a $7 T-post from Tractor Supply. No welding, no 2x4 kits, and no 40 lb frame to haul out to the range. Here's how we set ours up.
What you need
- A steel T-post. 6 ft is the sweet spot. Any farm or hardware store carries them.
- A T-post driver (about $25), or a small sledgehammer and some patience.
- A Wyatt T-post target hanger. The chain and Grade 8 bolt kit come with it.
- A target. Any of our gongs, IPSC silhouettes, or Steal Deal plates.
Our hanger on a T-post, with the chain and Grade 8 bolt that come with it.
What's in our hanger kit
Each kit comes with the hanger itself, a 3-link section of 3/8″ Grade 70 chain, and a 1/2″ Grade 8 carriage bolt with a locknut.
Targets 8″ and bigger hang from the chain. The bolt goes through the target's mounting hole and the bottom link of the chain, and the top link slides into the slot on the hanger. Hung that way, the target completely covers the hanger. Targets 6″ and smaller skip the chain, and the bolt slides into the slot instead.
Step 1: Pick your spot and check the backstop
The rules of hanging steel targets always come first. Make sure you have a proper backstop behind the target, and stay at least the minimum distance away for your caliber. That's 10 yards for pistols and 100 yards for rifles. Our distance guide has the full table.
Pick ground that's fairly level, and avoid rocky ground right below the target. Splatter can deflect off rock.
Step 2: Drive the post
For our hangers, the nub side of the post faces away from the shooter.
Drive the post deep enough that it's sturdy. How deep depends on how hard your ground is:
- Hard ground: get at least half of the anchor plate (the flat spade near the bottom of the post) into the dirt.
- Soft ground: bury the whole anchor plate.
- Permanent setups: always bury the whole anchor plate, whatever the ground is like.
If the ground is really hard, soaking the spot with water first makes driving a lot easier.
Step 3: Slide the hanger on
The hanger slides down over the top of the T-post, and you can set it at whatever height you want. It goes on in seconds and moves up or down just as easily. Nothing bolts to the post, and there are no welds to crack.
Height is worth a little thought. The higher the target sits, the easier it is to see over grass and brush. That's a common problem in long-range rifle shooting when you're prone behind your rifle. A T-post lets you hang the target well above the weeds, which is hard to do with rail stands where the targets hang low on chains.
Step 4: Hang the target
For targets 8″ and bigger, push the carriage bolt through the target's mounting hole from the front, through the bottom link of the chain, and snug the locknut down on the back. Then slide the top link of the chain into the slot on the hanger. For 6″ and smaller targets, skip the chain and slide the bolt into the slot instead.
Give the target a push. It should swing freely and settle facing you at a forward hanging angle. That angle is on purpose. It directs bullet splatter down into the dirt.
We've found that letting the target swing freely bleeds off the energy of the impact, and both the targets and the hardware last longer when they have a little room to move. It's also a lot easier to spot your hits at long range when the target can move.
Step 5: Start shooting
Back up to at least your minimum distance, put your glasses on, and use lead-core ammo only.
When you hit it, the target should wiggle back and forth and then settle back toward you. Our chain and hanger are designed to be self-centering.
Keep an eye on the post, too. If it starts to lean, drive it deeper. Check it a few times throughout your shooting day.
Packing up
Breaking down takes a few seconds. Slide the chain out of the hanger, then slide the hanger off the top of the post. Leave the chain and bolt on the target so it's ready to hang next time. If you shoot at the same spot, leave the posts in the ground and just take the targets and hangers home.
Setting up more than one target
Put a few posts about ten feet apart and you can practice moving between targets. Our Triple Steal Deal + 3 Hangers gets you three plates and three hangers in one order, so all you need to add is the posts. If you'd rather start with a gong, the Ring Steel Kit is an 8″ gong with a hanger. Already have targets? Our hangers are sold on their own too, including 2-packs and 4-packs.
Safety: follow minimum distances, use lead-core ammo only, and wear eye protection every time. Full rules are on our safety page. Use at your own risk.